MONTGOMERY — State and local law enforcement officials gathered at the old House chambers in the Capitol building on Wednesday to discuss the launch of a new crime prevention initiative to combat the escalating crime in Montgomery.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, and interim Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys all spoke in support of the newly formed Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit (MACS).
The initiative assists the City with quelling rampant crime, which has drawn criticism from national outlets, local residents and state lawmakers.
The task force started on June 24 and involves collaborative efforts from multiple state and local law enforcement agencies to crack down on crime.
“The citizens of this state, not only this city, but this state, deserve to come out of their house, their kids go to school, they go to the grocery store, go to the baseball field or somewhere and not have to worry about some kind of threat,” Taylor said.
Graboys said the City, under the directive of Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, has contributed members of its SWAT and Gang Suppression Units to the MACS Unit.
“For months, the Montgomery Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, [ALEA], [the ATF] and the Alabama Attorney General’s office have collaborated to target violent, repeat offenders and crime in our area,” Graboys said.
Graboys said the MACS unit has operated for only 12 days. During that time, the joint agencies produced 413 traffic stops, 49 arrests and 195 arrest warrants, recovered five stolen vehicles, and seized 33 guns.
Marshall spoke on the importance of keeping Montgomery safe as the state’s capital.
“I think it is important that we have this press conference in this room, in this place,” Marshall said. "Because this is our capitol and this is the capital city, and as Montgomery goes, people around the country and even in our state view how Alabama goes. As Alabamians, we do not tolerate violent crime, and that is a mantra that has to be adopted by this city. Because if we want Alabama’s economy to thrive, then people have to live in cities in which they feel safe, period.”
Marshall also seemingly contradicted Reed's claims in which Reed told WSFA that MACS came from his contacting ALEA and other law enforcement agencies.
“This is something that initiated with us reaching out to our sheriff’s office, reaching out to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and they were very, very receptive,” Reed told WSFA on Wednesday. “It’s really about the results that we’re looking for, and that’s why we’re proud to do this several months ago.”
“The reality is that, usually, ALEA and the AG’s office are not directly involved in local violent crime initiatives,” Marshall continued. “I can tell you this effort did not begin as a result of a phone call from city officials or even from the local police department. It’s because we heard the citizens of Montgomery. We heard you demand that you needed to feel safe in this community, and we responded and responded in a way that you’ve already heard dramatic success from all of the partners involved. But two people need to be given immense credit, and that is Secretary Taylor and Sheriff Cunningham.”
He added, “I can tell you that the genesis for the idea, the planning, and the development of the project began with the leadership of ALEA. Sheriff Cunningham didn’t think twice when asked to be involved. And the Montgomery Police Department stepped up and said, ‘We want to be a participant in a way that makes a difference in the community.’”
All speakers emphasized that police involvement alone cannot solve the ills that plague Montgomery and admonished parents and community members to take charge of their communities and the juveniles who make up a large portion of both victims and offenders in the city.
The affable Sheriff Cunningham harshly warned those in the community who target and victimize the Montgomery citizenry.
“This message ain’t for those that go to and from home, to and from work. This message ain’t for those who want to live in a neighborhood where they can feel safe. This message ain’t for our kids that want to go play at the park, or kids that want to go to school, or kids that want to have a playful time in our communities and our neighborhoods. This message is for those people that think they can disrupt our way of living, disrupt our business community, disrupt these families in these neighborhoods and these communities; this message is for you. This message is: if we didn’t get you this time, we’re going to get you next time. So, the message we’re sending is that we hear the calls, we hear the complaints, and we’re doing something about it.”
“We’re sending out a strong message to the elements in our community that want to disrupt our way of life. We have something. We’re targeting you. We’re coming for you," he concluded.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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